News for 'world-soccer'

Iran cannot participate in FIFA World Cup, minister says

Iran cannot participate in FIFA World Cup, minister says

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup after co-host the US launched airstrikes alongside Israel, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Wednesday.

Former Arsenal footballer drags FIFA to court again

Former Arsenal footballer drags FIFA to court again

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

World soccer body hit with $76m claim by Frenchman Lassana Diarra in decade-long transfer rules case

FIFA approves 48-team women's World Cup from 2031 edition

FIFA approves 48-team women's World Cup from 2031 edition

Rediff.com10 May 2025

The 48-team World Cup will adopt a 12-group format, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104 - the same as the expanded men's World Cup in 2026 - and extending the tournament by one week.

16 women's soccer teams for '28 Olympics; 12 men's

16 women's soccer teams for '28 Olympics; 12 men's

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

The Los Angeles 2028 Olympics will feature an increase in women's soccer teams from 12 to 16, while the men's competition will be downsized from 16 to a dozen teams, the International Olympic Committee said on Wednesday.

Huge prize pot for revamped Club World Cup champions

Huge prize pot for revamped Club World Cup champions

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

Numerous players and coaches, including England captain Harry Kane, have voiced concern over player welfare with the revamped Club World Cup meaning less time off between seasons.

FIFA lifts suspension of Pakistan Football Federation

FIFA lifts suspension of Pakistan Football Federation

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

FIFA has lifted its suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) after it approved constitutional amendments.

Ex-FIFA chief Blatter, Platini cleared in corruption case

Ex-FIFA chief Blatter, Platini cleared in corruption case

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and France soccer great Michel Platini were both cleared of corruption charges by a Swiss court on Tuesday.

Blatter, Platini return to court over corruption charge

Blatter, Platini return to court over corruption charge

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

Blatter and Platini were suspended from football in 2015 by FIFA for ethics breaches, originally for eight years, although their exclusions were later reduced.

FIFA World Cup 2030 and 2034 hosts revealed!

FIFA World Cup 2030 and 2034 hosts revealed!

Rediff.com11 Dec 2024

Saudi Arabia will host the men's soccer World Cup in 2034 while the 2030 edition will be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with one-off matches in three South American countries, world soccer's governing body FIFA confirmed on Wednesday.

FIFA initiates investigation into Israel FA's actions

FIFA initiates investigation into Israel FA's actions

Rediff.com3 Oct 2024

FIFA's disciplinary committee will be asked to look into allegations of discrimination raised by the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) after it submitted a proposal to suspend Israel in May, world soccer's governing body said on Thursday.

FIFA's transfer market in legal jeopardy, Billions at stake

FIFA's transfer market in legal jeopardy, Billions at stake

Rediff.com3 Oct 2024

Soccer's player transfer system will be in the spotlight and could even be on the brink of collapse on Friday when the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) announces its ruling on former France player Lassana Diarra's case against FIFA.

Barcelona sweep the World Soccer awards

Barcelona sweep the World Soccer awards

Rediff.com15 Dec 2011

European champions Barcelona have swept the board in World Soccer magazine's prestigious annual awards with Lionel Messi named World Player of the Year, Pep Guardiola Manager of the Year and the side that won the Spanish and Champions League last season named as Team of the Year.

Massive COVID outbreak in world soccer

Massive COVID outbreak in world soccer

Rediff.com30 Dec 2021

Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Vinicius Jr have tested positive for COVID-19.

PICS: Italy see off Albania after record early goal

PICS: Italy see off Albania after record early goal

Rediff.com16 Jun 2024

Italy recovered from the shock of conceding the fastest goal ever scored at a European Championship to beat Albania 2-1 on Saturday as Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella ensured the defending champions made a winning start.

Spain's Xavi named World Soccer Player of the Year

Spain's Xavi named World Soccer Player of the Year

Rediff.com17 Dec 2010

Spanish midfielder Xavi, who orchestrated Spain's World Cup triumph, was named as World Soccer's Player of the Year on Thursday. The world champions completed a Spanish double by being named Team of the Year.

Messi, Mbappe, Haaland finalists for FIFA Best Player award

Messi, Mbappe, Haaland finalists for FIFA Best Player award

Rediff.com14 Dec 2023

Erling Haaland helped Manchester City win three major trophies.

World soccer toasts Thai cave boys' rescue

World soccer toasts Thai cave boys' rescue

Rediff.com11 Jul 2018

Some of soccer's biggest names are cheering the rescue of 12 Thai boys and their coach from a flooded cave

Hermoso files criminal complaint over Rubiales kiss

Hermoso files criminal complaint over Rubiales kiss

Rediff.com6 Sep 2023

Spanish soccer star Jenni Hermoso has lodged a criminal complaint over the unsolicited kiss by football federation boss Luis Rubiales

Kiss scandal: Oscar winner Portman praises Spain team's resilience

Kiss scandal: Oscar winner Portman praises Spain team's resilience

Rediff.com7 Sep 2023

Portman said in a speech to the European Clubs' Association General Assembly on Thursday that other teams had in the past had to fight for equal pay.

FIFA Drops Schedule for 2026 WC: See Who Plays Where

FIFA Drops Schedule for 2026 WC: See Who Plays Where

Rediff.com5 Feb 2024

New Jersey awarded 2026 World Cup final, Mexico gets opener

Beckenbauer, the icon of German sporting success

Beckenbauer, the icon of German sporting success

Rediff.com9 Jan 2024

Franz Beckenbauer was for decades synonymous with Germany's success on the pitch, as player and then coach.

LaLiga slams FIFA's World Cup format change

LaLiga slams FIFA's World Cup format change

Rediff.com15 Mar 2023

The world governing body approved a 32-team Club World Cup which will be played every four years from June 2025, apart from the increase in World Cup matches to 104.

German Players Close Mouth In Protest

German Players Close Mouth In Protest

Rediff.com23 Nov 2022

Germany's players placed their hands over their mouths during a team photograph ahead of their game against Japan on Wednesday as the row over FIFA's threat of sanctions over the 'OneLove' armband continued.

Mrs Messi And Sons Celebrate Leo's Win

Mrs Messi And Sons Celebrate Leo's Win

Rediff.com19 Dec 2022

As members of the Argentina team and support squad took turns to hug Lionel Messi, his eyes were fixed on the stands.

Soccer: Guardiola in line for FIFA honour

Soccer: Guardiola in line for FIFA honour

Rediff.com13 Dec 2023

Yokohama beat Shandong to book Asian Champions League last 16 berth

United States awarded hosting rights for expanded Club World Cup

United States awarded hosting rights for expanded Club World Cup

Rediff.com23 Jun 2023

The first edition of FIFA's new 32-team Club World Cup will be held in the United States in 2025, world soccer's governing body said on Friday.

FIFA suspends Spain's soccer chief Luis Rubiales over kiss

FIFA suspends Spain's soccer chief Luis Rubiales over kiss

Rediff.com26 Aug 2023

FIFA on Saturday suspended Spanish federation chief Luis Rubiales from all soccer-related activities

FIFA WC PIX: Rainbow bucket hats, flags allowed

FIFA WC PIX: Rainbow bucket hats, flags allowed

Rediff.com25 Nov 2022

Same-sex relationships are illegal in Qatar.

Real Madrid sign 16-year-old Brazilian prodigy for $74 million

Real Madrid sign 16-year-old Brazilian prodigy for $74 million

Rediff.com16 Dec 2022

A stand-out talent from a young age, Endrick scored 170 goals in 176 matches for Palmeiras' academy.

France not distracted by politics

France not distracted by politics

Rediff.com9 Dec 2022

Qatar's treatment of migrant workers has come under enormous scrutiny during the build-up to the tournament but Deschamps chose not to wade into the topic even as he expressed his "sincere condolences" to the family.

PIX: Fans mourn victims of Indonesia stadium stampede

PIX: Fans mourn victims of Indonesia stadium stampede

Rediff.com7 Oct 2022

Indonesians gathered for Friday prayers mourned 131 people killed in a soccer stampede six days ago, amid calls for a prompt investigation into one of the world's most deadly stadium disasters to enable its victims to rest in peace.

FIFA sells 1.8 million tickets for Qatar's World Cup

FIFA sells 1.8 million tickets for Qatar's World Cup

Rediff.com29 Jun 2022

There is a special category of tickets available only to residents of host nation Qatar and fans in the Gulf Arab state have bought the largest number of tickets, FIFA said.

'Shame to humiliate a man who has given so much'

'Shame to humiliate a man who has given so much'

Rediff.com7 Dec 2022

'Yes, Ronaldo won't play forever, unfortunately he doesn't score goals now, he's old, Portugal doesn't need Ronaldo (clapping emojis).'

BYJU'S named a sponsor of Qatar World Cup

BYJU'S named a sponsor of Qatar World Cup

Rediff.com24 Mar 2022

2022 Qatar World Cup is BYJU'S first major move into soccer.

How Germany can avoid early exit at World Cup

How Germany can avoid early exit at World Cup

Rediff.com25 Nov 2022

Germany's players, however, must not only process their first ever loss to Japan, they are also under fire back home for their handling of a diversity armband affair

Check out Pele's astonishing goal record!

Check out Pele's astonishing goal record!

Rediff.com30 Dec 2022

Precisely how many time Pele hit the net is a matter of debate, with most statisticians agreeing the number is between 1,281 and 1,283.

'FIFA's threat over armbands is incomprehensible'

'FIFA's threat over armbands is incomprehensible'

Rediff.com23 Nov 2022

World soccer body FIFA had threatened seven European teams with sporting sanctions if they wore it at the World Cup with the federations backing down.

Why FIFA has stripped Indonesia of WC hosting rights

Why FIFA has stripped Indonesia of WC hosting rights

Rediff.com30 Mar 2023

World soccer's ruling body added that the decision had been taken following a meeting between its President Gianni Infantino and PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir.

Homosexuality is damage in the mind: Qatar WC official

Homosexuality is damage in the mind: Qatar WC official

Rediff.com8 Nov 2022

Some soccer players have raised concerns over the rights of fans travelling to the event, especially LGBT+ individuals and women, whom rights groups say Qatari laws discriminate against.

People calling for Qatar WC boycott are hypocrites: Minister

People calling for Qatar WC boycott are hypocrites: Minister

Rediff.com4 Nov 2022

After years of pressure from human rights groups, Qatar changed its labour laws to dismantle much of its "kafala" sponsorship system, absolving workers of the need to get the permission of the employer who sponsored their visa in order to change jobs or leave the country.